Over their final 15 video games, the Cavaliers have been the #1 offense within the NBA whereas the Celtics have been the #1 protection — an actual conflict of the titans matchup the place just one may prevail, and this match went to Boston. The Celtics held the Cavaliers to 98 factors which is tied for second on the least quantity of factors that Cleveland has scored this season.
On this first half, Boston held Cleveland to 36 factors on 13-45 (29%) from the sector and 2-22 (9%) from three. The Cavs would have a scorching taking pictures fourth quarter to spice up their numbers up a bit, however they nonetheless completed at 35-86 (41%) from the sector and 13-45 (29%) from three. Boston additionally compelled 7 turnovers with 13 factors coming off these turnovers.
When the Cavs are lacking their three pointers they’re a really beatable basketball staff and the Celtics have been capable of make the most of it on this recreation.
2. Jaylen Brown Large Second Half
Jaylen Brown continued his MVP degree season towards the Cavs, ending with 23 factors, 9 rebounds, and eight assists on 7-17 taking pictures. Brown began the sport a little bit sluggish taking pictures however was capable of get his approach to the free throw line within the first half.
Nevertheless, as soon as the third quarter hit, he began to go off with 9 of his 23 factors coming on this quarter alone. Brown dominated the midrange on this quarter, attending to his spots and simply rising up over everyone. Within the fourth quarter he was quiet however made an incredible play to get an And-1 layup on Keon Ellis.
Brown’s passing was additionally elite on this recreation. His 8:1 help to turnover ratio was large for Boston on this recreation. He would normally appeal to two Cavs defenders and kick out to the extensive open shooter. His finest go got here in his huge second half, when he discovered Scheierman on the other nook for 3.
3. Jayson Tatum Second Recreation Again
It has been formally 300 Days since Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles and this matchup towards the Cavs was his second recreation of the 2025-26 season. In 27 minutes, he completed with 20 factors, 3 rebounds, and a pair of assists on 6-16 taking pictures from the sector, 2-9 from three, and 6-7 on the free throw line. This was a better scoring recreation for Tatum than his debut however his was because of his potential to get to the free throw line that wasn’t showcased a ton towards the Mavericks.
Tatum began the sport on hearth within the first quarter with 12 factors on 4-6 taking pictures. After the Cavs began the sport on an 11-3 run, Tatum was capable of reply in an enormous means along with his shot beginning to fall and his potential to overpower the protection like up to now.
Tatum would then miss his subsequent 7 photographs after his scorching begin however that didn’t dispel him from taking pictures within the fourth quarter. He made two large baskets for the Celtics together with the dagger three to offer Boston the win.
Postgame, Tatum mentioned that “in the present day felt much more regular” when it got here to taking part in his second recreation of the season after all the fan truthful in his debut. He additionally confirmed that there’s a minutes restriction, most definitely of 27 minutes primarily based on that being what he performed the final two video games. Describing this restriction he mentioned, “Hardest half for me is being on a minutes restriction. That s**t sucks fairly frankly…Clearly, I perceive the larger image.”
3. His Identify is Baylor Scheierman
At halftime, the NBA on TNT crew that’s now on ESPN have been speaking concerning the Cavs not getting again on protection. After they went to get Shaquille O’Neal’s commentary, he mentioned that he had no concept who Baylor Scheierman was when the spotlight confirmed a dunk from him.
In response to this disrespect, Scheierman determined to have among the finest video games of his season towards the Cavs, ending with a double-double of 16 factors and 10 rebounds on 6-8 taking pictures from the sector and 4-6 taking pictures from three. He had 9 of those factors after Shaq’s feedback, displaying precisely who he’s as a participant.
The primary half noticed Kareem sky hooks and fast-break dunks however the second half noticed Scheierman change into a flame thrower from past the arc whereas the Celtics have been mounting their greatest lead of the sport.
An ideal microcausum of what makes Scheierman nice was this play within the third quarter when Boston was on a 19-5 run. After Pritchard missed a 3, Baylor was combating for place underneath the basket and was capable of knock out the rebound to offer Boston one other possession that resulted in a Hauser three. That is what makes Baylor Scheierman such a successful participant and why he’s so large for this Celtics staff.
4. Payton Pritchard 4th Quarter
That is the second recreation in a row the place we obtained an incredible Payton Pritchard recreation after a pair random 0 level performances. Pritchard completed with 18 factors and seven assists on 7-12 taking pictures from the sector towards the Cavs on this recreation the place 9 of his factors got here within the fourth quarter.
His 3-3 taking pictures within the fourth quarter was large for Boston as a result of Cleveland was capable of reduce the result in 8 factors late within the recreation. Pritchard did an incredible job of utilizing his dribble strikes to create open photographs for himself and stymie the momentum that the Cavs have been attempting to construct.
5. Derrick White is Prime 5
Earlier than the sport, Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson mentioned that Derrick White is a top-five participant within the NBA proper now. Some individuals would possibly disagree however if you happen to watch the sport, White is likely one of the most impactful gamers within the NBA each single night time.
White solely completed with 6 factors, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists on 2-9 taking pictures nevertheless it felt like each time he was on the ground, the Celtics would go on a run. He was taking part in an enormous function main the bench unit in for a number of stretches when each Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have been out. You can too inform that he missed taking part in with Jayson Tatum so much because of the truth that he threw down his third dunk in two video games which is greater than I ever keep in mind seeing this season.
Should you solely take a look at the field rating you won’t see it, however I agree with Kenny Atkinson: Derrick White is a Prime 5 participant within the NBA.
Sam Hauser was completely important for the Celtics on this recreation, ending with 15 factors on 5-10 taking pictures from three. His potential to knock down a giant three when Boston wanted it most was obvious all through this recreation. He was additionally a giant proponent of Boston’s third quarter run that pushed their lead as much as at most 26 factors.
Hauser is likely one of the most harmful gamers within the league as a result of when his shot is falling, video games can get out of hand in a rush.
8. Celtics Three Level Taking pictures
I talked concerning the Cavs taking pictures solely 29% from three on this recreation as a cause why they misplaced this recreation, however Boston’s potential to shoot the three ball was another excuse. The Celtics shot 15-38 (40%) from three in Cleveland. These threes got here at huge moments of the sport when Boston jumped out to a 26 level lead but in addition got here up clutch within the fourth quarter when the Cavs have been attempting to make a comeback.
The three pointer is basically the good equalizer within the NBA and watching the Celtics this season has proven this idea to be true.
9. Survived Donovan Mitchell Explosion
Donovan Mitchell has an extended and detailed historical past of going nuclear towards the Celtics throughout his profession and most of it coming in a Cleveland Cavaliers uniform. Mitchell averages 29.5 factors per recreation towards the Celtics in his profession which is third in NBA historical past towards Boston, solely behind Michael Jordan (30.7) and Luka Doncic (29.8).
So when he had 21 factors on 5-12 taking pictures and Boston held an 86-69 lead going into the fourth quarter, Celtics followers have been in all probability feeling good. Little did we all know that Mitchell would begin to go off within the quarter, scoring 9 factors on 3-6 taking pictures. This helped the Cavs reduce the Celtics lead down to eight factors with 5:01 left within the recreation. Fortunately, Boston was capable of maintain on however I can’t lie, a small a part of me was scared we have been going to get one other insane Donovan Mitchell comeback.
For the primary time for the reason that 2019-20 season, the Boston Celtics swept the Cleveland Cavaliers of their season collection after Boston received this matchup 109-98. Regardless that Cleveland added James Harden for Darius Garland since their final matchup, Boston added a weapon of their very own named Jayson Tatum.
On the season, the Cavs are averaging 118.8 factors on 48% taking pictures from the sector and 36% from three. Of their three video games versus Boston, Cleveland has solely averaged 106 factors on 42% taking pictures from the sector and 34% taking pictures from past the arc.
Historical past has proven us up to now that sweeping the season collection of a staff means nothing as soon as the playoffs come round however this season thus far, Boston appears to have Cleveland’s quantity.
